Sealed rotary switch having fixed supports



April 1966 J. P. CANNON I 3,244,820

SEALED ROTARY SWITCH HAVING FIXED SUPPORTS Filed Dec. 26, 1963 INVENTOR John P. Cannon BY @W Q ORN 5i United States Patent Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,465 3 Claims. c1. 200-11) This invention relates to an improved switching device for use in an electric lantern of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 186,061, filed April 9, 1962, entitled, Trouble Lantern. More specifically, this invention is directed to a finger-actuated, waterproof rotary switch which may be easily manipulated by the user of the lantern to select the desired light or light combination.

The lantern disclosed in the aforesaid copending application contains a pair of operationally independent light assemblies, one of which is employed as the lantern beam, while the other serves as a warning blinker for use in emergency situations. The body of the lantern is waterproof and translucent, and houses the blinker assembly so that, when the bulb is energized, the flashing light is seen through the body of the lantern itself. A red body color, of course, produces the effect of a flashing red light.

A waterproof, multiposition switch is employed with the lantern so that the operator may select the beam, the blinker, or both the beam and the blinker simultaneously. The switch is of the push-type and, although it has proven to be satisfactory, it would be desirable to provide a rotary switch if the same could be properly waterproofed. Since the waterproof and buoyant construction of the lantern disclosed in the aforesaid copending application is one of the features thereof, it is requisite that the lantern switch be of waterproof design since some parts of the switch necessarily must be on the outside of the lantern.

It is, therefore, an important object ofthis invention to provide a waterproof, rotary switch for use with an electric lantern.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a rotary switch which may be readily assembled on a support therefor and fixed in position solely by the interaction of the switch components with the support.

Still another important object of the instant invention is to provide a mounting support for the components of a rotary switch which has a configuration that cooperates with the components to form an integrated, operational assembly.

Other objects will become description proceeds.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric lantern showing a knob for the switch of the instant invention extending therefrom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rotary switch; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch, the stem, the O-ring, and the knob being shown in elevation for clarity.

Referring at the outset to FIG. 1, the numeral denotes the waterproof, translucent case or body of the electric lantern, the latter being of similar construction to that as shown and described in the aforesaid copending application. Body 10 has a handle 12 and is provided with decorative molding 14. A lens assembly 16 for the beam portion of the lantern is secured to body 10 by a waterproof sealing band 18. A knob 20, having a pointer 22, is shown extending from body 10 and is employed to operate the switch of the instant invention. A position indicating dial 24 on the body underlies knob 20 and indicates the four switch positions of the switch to be apparent as the detailed 2 described hereinafter, knob 20 being selectively operable by the user of the lantern to align pointer 22 with any one of these four positions.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary switch of the instant invention is shown in detail. It may be seen that knob 20 is integral with a stem '26 which extends through an aperture 28 in a supporting wall 30. It should be understood that wall 30 comprises a portion of the exterior wall structure of body 10. An O-ring 32 is seated in an annular recess in stem 26 and sealingly engages supporting wall 30 within the aperture 28. An annular retainer 34 is integral with knob 20 and stem 26 at the union thereof and bears against the exterior surface of the supporting wall.

Within the interior of body 10, wall portion 30 thereof is provided with a pair of parallel, rectilinear ribs 36, each of which has a channel 38 coextensive therewith. The channels 38 receive opposed margins of a dielectric housing 46 and hold the same in place in a manner which will become clear as the description proceeds. Housing 40 includes a rectangular contact mounting plate or member 42, the channels 38 forming a seat for a pair of opposed edges of the plate. A central opening 44 in plate 42 receives stem 26, the plate being slipped over the stem in the assembly of the device.

The side of housing 48 facing away from supporting wall 30 is open to permit the remaining parts of the switch to be slipped on stem 26. The first of these parts is a generally semicircular, metallic component or wafer 46, the next part is a cup-shaped dielectric disc 48, then a spring 50 and finally, a C-clip 52.

Plate 42 is provided with three electrical contacts which extend through the plate and present three contact heads 54, 56 and 58. In FIG. 3, one of the contacts (corresponding to head 56) may be seen in its entirety at 60. An electrical conductor 62 extends from contact 60 to the appropriate portion of the lantern apparatus. It should be noted that the three heads 54, 56 and 58 are all equidistant from the axis of stem 26. Heads 54 and 56, and heads 56 and 58 are angularly spaced 90 from one another, while heads 54 and 58 are annularly spaced by an angle of 180.

Wafer 46 has an opening 64 therein which receives opposed flats 66 of a reduced portion 68 of stem 26. It may be noted that opening 64 is configured so that the wafer 46 is rotationally interlocked with stem 26 due to the mating of the opening with the flats 66. Three dimples are stamped in wafer 46, one of the dimples being shown at 70 in FIG. 3. Since FIG. 2 reveals the reverse side of wafer 46, three bosses 72, 74 and 76 corresponding to the three dimples are shown. Boss 74 corresponds to dimple '70. Wafer 46 is also provided with a protuberance 78 which extends from the side of the wafer containing bosses 72-76.

The dielectric disc 48 includes an annular flange 80 which gives the disc a cup-like configuration. The side of the disc facing away from the cup formed by flange 86 has three recesses 82, 84 and 86 therein which receive bosses 72, 74 and 76 respectively. It should be understood that disc 48 as depicted in FIG. 2, is inverted with respect to the normal manner of illustrating the disc in an exploded view. This is done so that the interrelation of the recesses 82-86 and the bosses 72-76 may be clearly seen.

Disc 48 has a central opening 88 therein which also receives the reduce-d portion 68 such that the flats 66 of the stem interlock with the disc so that the latter will rotate with the stem. The disc is provided with an arcuate shoulder 90 having a depression 92 therein, the function of depression 92 being to receive a selected head 54-58 during rotation of the stem from one switch position to another.

Spring 50 and C-clip 52 complete the switch assembly spa gaze and maintain the various parts of the switch in proper relation with one another. It should be understood that the action of spring 50 holds wafer 46 and disc 48 in engagement with one another in a complemental fashion to form the switch element of the switching device which rotates with the stem to establish the desired electrical continuity between the heads 54-58 at each switch position. When assembled, the edges of plate 42 in engagement with channels 38 are firmly seated in the channels by the action of spring 50 so that the ribs 36 positively prevent rotation of housing 40. Spring 50 acts between the clip 52 (at the end of the stern remote from knob 20) and the side of disc 48 within the cup formed by annular flange 80. The dimples in wafer 46 and depression 9?. in disc 48 receive heads 5458 (except for one of the dimples or the depression, depending on the switch position) and transmit the force of spring 50 to plate 42. Stem 25 is biased longitudinally inwardly of body thereby forcing retainer 34 against the exterior surface of supporting wall 30. Therefore, no other means is required for maintaining the various parts of the switch assembled into an operational unit.

It may be appreciated that a waterproof switch is thus provided since the action of spring 50 also maintains O-ring 32. within aperture 28. Stem 26 does not reciprocate during rotation of knob 20; therefore, retainer 34 remains engaged with the exterior surface of supporting wall 30 at all times. The use of retainer 34 not only permits easy rotation of knob 20, but also assists O-ring in its scaling function.

The general operation of the switching structure is evident from the foregoing, it being only necessary to point out certain distinguishing and noteworthy features of the device which become apparent when operation thereof is considered. As stated above, wafer 46 and disc 43 move as a unit with stem 26 and form the switch element. As knob 20 is rotated, four switch positions are encountered. of the heads 54, 56 and 58 will be electrically interconnected by wafer 26. In the remaining position all three of the heads 54, 56 and 58 are electrically interconnected. Thus, by appropriate electrical connections to the heads well within the ability of one skilled in the art, four switching functions may be achieved. In the operation of the electric lantern described in the aforesaid copending application, these four positions would be arranged to initiate energization of the beam only, energization of the blinker light only, energization of both lights, and the OFF position.

In FIG. 2, a line of bend 94 is illustrated extending completely across wafer 46, except for the presence of opening 64. Along this line, the water is slightly bent away from the protuberance 78. Wafer 46 is thin and resilient; therefore, it may be appreciated from FIG. 3 that a wedging action is achieved between the disc 48 and the adjacent, inner surface of plate 42. FIG. 3 shows that the portion of wafer 46 provided with protuberance 78 is disposed at a slight angle in the cavity between disc 48 and plate 42.

Besides the function of spring 56 discussed above, this spring also provides a relief for wafer 46 and disc 48 as stem 26 is rotated from position to position. It may be appreciated that, when disc 48 is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 3, head 56 will no longer be received by depression 92 and will be forced to ride along the surface of shoulder 90. The same is true for the other heads which were received by corresponding dimples. This necessitates that the disc and the wafer move away from contact plate 42, this being permitted by the compression of spring 50. Once the dimples and/or depression 92 again become aligned with the heads, the disc and the wafer are returned to their initial positions under the action of the spring and solid electrical connections are thereby made.

The various parts of the switch, except for wafer 46,

In three of these four positions, two

spring 50, and clip 52 may be constructed of a molded plastic material. This enables knob 20, retainer 34, and

stem 26 to be of one-piece construction. Housing 40 and disc 48 also may each be molded as a single piece,

the entire switch thus consisting of the individual parts illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 2. Manifestly, this type of construction in conjunction with the means of forming the various parts of the switch into an operational unit discussed above, greatly facilitates rapid assembly of the switch, disassembly thereof should maintenance or repair be required, and ease of manufacture of the electric lantern.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rotary switch:

an elongated, rotatable stem provided with a retainer at one end thereof;

a mounting member having an opening therethrough receiving the stern and provided with electrical contact means;

a support between the member and the retainer, abutting the latter and engaged by the member, and having an aperture therethrough receiving said stem;

a switch element on the stem shiftable longitudinally thereof and rotatable therewith, said element being disposed for selective engagement with said contact means upon rotation of the stem; and

yieldable means coupled with the other end of said stem, engaging said element and biasing the retainer and the member toward the support, whereby to clamp the support between the member and the retainer while permitting rotation of the stem to operate the switch;

said member being disposed between the support and the element and comprising a plate having a pair of opposed edges,

said support com-prising structure provided with a pair of spaced, elongated ribs projecting from the structure,

said plate being disposed between the ribs with the latter engaging corresponding edges of the plate to prevent rotation thereof during operation of the switch, whereby the ribs and the yieldable means cooperate to form the stem, plate, support, and element into an integrated, operational assembly.

2. In a rotary switch:

an elongated, rotatable stem provided with a retainer at one end thereof;

a mounting member having an opening therethrough receiving the stem and provided with electrical contact means;

a support between the member and the retainer, abutting the latter and engaged by the member, and having an aperture therethrou-gh receiving said stem;

a switch element on the stem shiftable longitudinally thereof and rotatable therewith, said element being disposed for selective engagement with said contact means upon rotation of the stem; and

yieldable means coupled with the other end of said stern, engaging said element and biasing the retainer and the member toward the support, whereby to clamp the support between the member and the retainer while permitting rotation of the stem to operate the switch,

said member being disposed between the support and the element, said contact means presenting a plurality of conduc- 1 tive heads extending toward the element and defining a number of switch positions,

said element including an electrically conductive component having a plurality of dimples receiving selected heads at each of said switch positions, the element moving on the stem away from the member against the action of said yieldable means as the element is rotated between adjacent switch positions, and moving toward the member under the bias of the yieldable means when the dimples reach a selected position and receive the corresponding heads.

3. In a rotary switch:

an elongated, rotatable stem provided with an operating knob at one end thereof;

a switch element on said stem shiftable longitudinally thereof and rotatable therewith;

a mounting member between said knob and said element and having an opening therethrough receiving said stem,

said member being provided with a first set of electrical contacts defining a number of switch positions for said element,

said element having a second set of electrical contacts,

one of said sets of contacts comprising a plurality of conductive projections,

the other of said sets of contacts comprising structure configured to complementally receive selected projections at each of said positions;

a support between said member and said knob and engaged by the member, and having an aperture therethrough receiving the stem,

said stem being provided with a retainer between the knob and the support in engagement with the latter; and

yieldable means coupled with said stem and said element, biasing the retainer and the member toward the support, and biasing the element toward the member to forcibly maintain said sets of contacts in engagement with each other at a selected position, whereby the support is clamped between the member and the retainer While the stem is permitted to rotate and, upon rotation of the stem, the element shifts on the stem away from the member against the bias of the yieldable means as the element rotates between adjacent positions, whereupon said element moves toward the member under said bias when the next position is reached to thereby interengage selected contacts of said sets by snap action.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,787 5/1950 Hobart ZOO-11 2,619,621 11/1952 Brown 20011 X 2,620,409 12/1952 Cobb et a1 2O011 2,978,549 4/1961 Krueger 200-66 X 3,030,460 4/1962 Huetten et al. 200-11 25 KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner.

J. R. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A ROTARY SWITCH: AN ELONGATED, ROTATABLE STEM PROVIDED WITH A RETAINER AT ONE END THEREOF; A MOUNTING MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH RECEIVING THE STEM AND PROVIDED WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS; A SUPPORT BETWEEN THE MEMBER AND THE RETAINER, ABUTTING THE LATTER AND ENGAGED BY THE MEMBER, AND HAVING AN APERTURE THERETHROUGH RECEIVING SAID STEM; A SWITCH ELEMENT ON THE STEM SHIFTABLE LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, SAID ELEMENT BEING DISPOSED FOR SELECTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTACT MEANS UPON ROTATION OF THE STEM; AND YIELDABLE MEANS COUPLED WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID STEM, ENGAGING SAID ELEMENT AND BIASING THE RETAINER AND THE MEMBER TOWARD THE SUPPORT, WHEREBY TO CLAMP THE SUPPORT BETWEEN THE MEMBER AND THE RETAINER WHILE PERMITTING ROTATION OF THE STEM TO OPERATE THE SWITCH; SAID MEMBER BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN THE SUPPORT AND THE ELEMENT AND COMPRISING A PLATE HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED EDGES, SAID SUPPORT COMPRISING STRUCTURE PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF SPACED, ELONGATED RIBS PROJECTING FROM THE STRUCTURE, SAID PLATE BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN THE RIBS WITH THE LATTER ENGAGING CORRESPONDING EDGES OF THE PLATE TO PREVENT ROTATION THEREOF DURING OPERATION OF THE SWITCH, WHEREBY THE RIBS AND THE YIELDABLE MEANS COOPERATE TO FORM THE STEM, PLATE, SUPPORT, AND ELEMENT INTO AN INTEGRATED, OPERATIONAL ASSEMBLY. 